Ajax laughed at that, one of the first real laughs in a while. "Aw don't worry, I can defend myself." He teased, chuckling at the sibling rivalry- before reminding himself that he was in a not so good situation. At Astoria's question he quieted for a moment. What was he supposed to tell her? He couldn't straight out LIE. "I.. fly. Fly planes. I fly planes." He answered with a nod, trying to convince himself that could be true. It wasn't a TOTAL lie. He did fly.

Sam perked up at his answer, raising his eyebrows eagerly. Astoria tilted her head at Ajax in a teasing way. "Are you sure?" She teased lightly, grinning at the look on Sam's face.

Sam was all lit up in a half second, leaning over the table eagerly. "Really? You fly planes? What kind? In the military? Civilian?" He looked so excited about the entire prospect. Will looked a little dissatisfied at the fact that Sam was so taken with the new man, shifting uncomfortably in his seat.

Ajax's eyes twinkled slightly at Astoria's question, but he did not answer, instead focusing on Sam's questions. "I do fly planes. At the moment I am a test pilot for the military, so all the new planes, mostly fighter jets, that no one has ever flown before." He explained with a smile. He had flown a plane- how, he didn't really know. In any case, he was quite knowledgeable in jets and the military. He glanced at the man, his eyebrows creasing slightly at Will's uneasiness. +What? Cat got your tongue?+ Ajax couldn't help but think, trying not to look irritated.

Sam made the equivalent expression of a wow face, staring at Ajax with a slack jaw. Even Astoria knew it was like something out of his dreams. S "Can we be best friends? I've always wanted to be a military pilot. But a military pilot who flies prototypes? Please adopt me." He said jokingly, his tone bright and happy. Nothing like the boy who had run after the ghost of his sister not even a sparse three months ago. Then again, none of them remembered that now. Except for Ajax.

"Sam, you're such a suck up. Anyway, that sounds like fun. How long have you been doing that for?" She asked lightly, trying to get to know more about him. Will still hadn't said a word, simply going pale and leaning back against the seat, picking at his muffin.

Astoria saw this and stood, waving her hand at Sam. "Come sit across from Ajax, I have a feeling you two will make fast friends." She smiled, trading places with her younger brother quickly and setting her hand gently on Will's. He seemed a little startled, but happy with it.

Ajax had to resist a small laugh. So this was a peek into what it would've been like having a young teenage boy. He would've never known, since he was not a normal case and he technically had lived over 50 years ago. The whole body thing was still weird though... he looked, sounded, and smelled like a normal human, even though he was a demon. It didn't matter to him at the moment. He was just glad to at least be here. Plus.. well... getting to know someone else was kind of nice. At Sam's words he laughed, shaking his head slightly. "If you don't bite me, I am all for being friends." He teased. "I'll even let you in on a little secret.. the air force is designing one of the fastest planes to ever exist, and I am scheduled to fly it soon. You'll be the first person to hear about it." He winked with a quiet tone. Sounded like he has a job. He knew if Mercy didn't get her memories back that he'd have to re-earn her trust, which meant a lot more time hanging around humans... and he didn't want to lie the entire time. So, he was going to pull a couple strings and.. well.. become a test pilot. Why not? It was one of the things he had tried after he died. Learning to fly a plane had been interesting. Why not continue. He smiled a little at the boy's enthusiasm... so different from what he'd been imagining. So happy. Ajax was finally beginning to see into Astoria's life, and a very small part of him... well... didn't want to rip her away again. He had seen how depressed, sad, and quiet Sam had been on that day. And to look at the boy now? Such a difference. If Mercy left... Ajax couldn't think about what would happen. At Mercy's- Astoria's question he thought for a moment. "Not too terribly long, only a couple years." He answered something rather believable. Since it did still look like he was around 23, a couple years would make sense. Ajax glanced at the man again- he wished he knew the name- and tried not to wince at their expression. Why were they so pale? He again tried not to grit his teeth and get SLIGHTLY upset when Mercy- +CRAP AJAX, IT IS ASTORIA, GET USED TO IT+ he thought angrily. When ASTORIA went to sit over by the man instead.

Sam grinned at his new friend. S "I'll definitely refrain from it then." Astoria snickered at his joke, rolling her eyes and rubbing her thumb back and forth over Will's knuckles. Sam was still leaning over the table, grinning at Ajax like he was a big christmas present. His eyes widened at the next news, his mouth dropping open in awe. "Really?! How fast? Like, mach 8? Mach nine?" He practically whisper shouted at the older man, giving him an utterly adoring look. It seemed like someone had a new hero.

Astoria chuckled, leaning her head on her free hand and watching Ajax with her brother intently. She nodded at his answer, tilting her head at him slightly. "Great. I'm glad you enjoy it. Not many people are lucky enough to land in a career path they like." She shrugged lightly, lifting her head to pop a piece of her muffin in her mouth.

(I love how this went from a wedding to Ajax stabbing himself with daggers to Ajax saying he flies jets and making best friends with Mercy's younger brother xD)

+++

Ajax grinned a little at Sam's words. "Much appreciated. Right back at you, then." He chuckled, trying to look anywhere but at Mercy. Of course he should have known that he'd have to deal with her boyfriend the entire time he was there, and of course he should prepare to never get near her again and go to her wedding with her boyfriend and forever hold his peace. He just didn't want to. At all. And even this was killing him. +stop being selfish- at least you're here+ he thought. +if anything, you can protect her and her family for the rest of their lives+ he thought to himself, trying to convince himself that everything would be okay. Someday. Somehow. Turning his attention back to Sam as the boy started talking quickly and excitedly, Ajax cracked another smile. "Mach 9 would be correct. 9.2 to be exact. However, that is not the fastest. The fastest fighter jet in the world goes Mach 9.6. It was built by NASA and there are only three in the entire world. The X-43 is just an experimental plane, and only the best test pilots have ever flown it. I haven't personally, since I work more with military matters. However, Mach 9.2 is still absolutely incredible... if you discount the feeling that you are going to pop your head off from the pressure." He snorted slightly. He TECHNICALLY couldn't personally say he knew what it felt like YET, but since he also technically wasn't alive his body would respond much better to the forces. +To-do list number 936.. pull some strings and become an actual test pilot+ he thought, trying not to grin at the mere thought. "I am quite lucky in that." Ajax agreed quietly with Astoria, his head dipped slightly as he suppressed a sigh. He'd give up the world if she could get her memories back. Even if she didn't leave her family, at least she would know who he was.

Aaaaallllll part of the plan xD))

Sam was absolutely glowing when Ajax started getting into what Astoria would classify as; adorably overeducated nerd talk. She was still listening, charmed by his extensive knowledge of facts, but also partly lost because... she didn't do planes. Sam was the opposite. Enraptured is the only word close enough to describe his expression. S "Seriously? What's the fastest you've ever flown, then? Do you think you'll ever hit mach 10? How did you become a test pilot? Can you bring me with you?" The words were gushing from his mouth, making Astoria grin and reach over to tussle Sam's hair.

"One question at a time Sam, not everyone can understand you when your mouth moves at mach eight." She giggled, lightly wrapping her arm around him and pulling him into her side. He was already taller than her, so it took some effort, but he grinned and mirrored the action, curling his arm around her in turn.

Will swallowed and gently brought Astoria's hand to his lips, pressing a kiss to it and then moving both his hands to hold hers. She simply offered him a light smile.

Ajax didn't want to admit it, but he was enjoying himself... dying at a young age gave LOTS of time for playing around and learning rather useless facts like where a nightcrawlers brain was so he could bait a hook more effectively and what the he'll a Golgi Apparatus is because there is no reason to ever know that unless you are becoming a biologist. One of his greatest interests had always been planes, so after he died he learned a LOT. Way too much. But it did help in conversations like these. "Seriously. I've flown around Mach 9.5, and that is faster then I ever want to fly again. I seriously thought I'd be in space before I blinked. I don't think I'll ever hit Mach 10 because there is not a plane in the world that goes that fast. However, rockets DO go that fast so if you get an inkling to go to space you might get to feel it." He paused with a joking tone. "I started just like you.. more than interested in planes and wanting to learn more about them. After that I got my pilots license, joined the military- or, more specifically, the Air Force, and quickly advanced to become a test pilot. Aaaand no, your hopes went way to far up, sorry to shatter them. Even if I tried you couldn't come WITH me. HOWEVER, something MIGHT just POSSIBLY be able to be arranged where you can come see the planes... if your parents and sister agree. They can come too if you'd like. Still, just an invitation." Ajax said slowly, his pace of talking much slower than Sam's, yet he kept up well. Goose tended to talk quickly too, so Ajax had gotten used to it. "Good thing I can. I have a friend who talks ALMOST as fast as you, but I still think you've got him beat." He teased with a wink before glancing out the window of the shop and wondering when he'd have to leave. Still, it didn't prevent him from seeing Astoria and her boyfriend. +GR- STOP IT WITH THE PUBLIC DISPLAYS OF AFFECTION OR I JUST MIGHT RIP MY HAIR OUT+ he thought, using his thoughts to express his irritation while keeping the rest of him... neutral.

Sam grinned at Ajax. S "Mach 9.5. Wow." He breathed out an admiring slew of words, cramming the last bit of his muffin in his mouth in true teenager fashion. It was barely down his throat by the time he wa stalking again, grinning like a fool. "That doesn't mean some planes won't be able to hit Mach 10 soon. Technological advancement never stops." He shrugged, staying huddled up with his sister. They were an extremely close pair; close enough that Astoria used to essentially cuddle her brother to sleep when they were younger. The sibling affection still lasted, especially because of the coma. It was really quite adorable.

Sam listened intently at the description of how Ajax started, taking everything to heart. He shrugged, waving a hand at the apology. S "I figured the answer would be no, but it was worth a shot. I'm sure Mom and Dad would love to come see the planes if I beg them, though." He grinned, already envisioning a whole trip.

Astoria snickered as the topic of Sam and his childlike question outburst came back again, smiling. "I'm sure they would get along well. Too well." She snickered, grinning when Sam swatted at her halfheartedly. "Anyway, you should come over to our house after this. We were gonna get warm inside, then maybe play a little bit of catch in the back yard, if you were interested. Oh, and tonight is movie night." She grinned, unaware of the dismayed expression on Will's face. Sam was nodding eagerly. S "Yeah! You should come over. Mom's making lasagna tonight too, it'll be great." He nodded, his excitement sweet.